Undergraduate courseload

[A1cfox21]

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It's been a while since I've posted. I haven't been a full-time student since HS but will be starting fulltime at UCF this summer. I was wondering what you folks considered a heavy science courseload? I'm thinking of taking Bio I, Chem I, Physics I, and a History class my first semester and likely take the II classes in the fall along with another 1 or 2 history classes (major). That way I can have the important science classes out of the way to study for the April MCAT that next spring. I'll then take Org Chem I spring Org Chem II summer along with mostly History major classes as well as a few extra sciences like Histology and genetics. Can anybody comment on the difficulty of my first 2 semesters? Also, does my logic make sense with leaving the Org Chem classes to the end? I was told they wouldn't be too important for the MCAT. Thanks 🙂

 

[MikeyLu2010]

that courseload isnt too bad at all..keep in mind you need all of those classes for mcrap...ie orgo's, bio's, chem's, physix..ive had tougher work loads and managed fine..just dont blow ur gpa 😉

 

[DrBowtie]

You can take your time a bit more since the MCAT won't only be offered April/August after Aug 2006. With you being a history major, how is your science background? If it isn't strong, I wouldn't take 3 pre-reqs at the same time.

 

[A1cfox21]

You can take your time a bit more since the MCAT won't only be offered April/August after Aug 2006. With you being a history major, how is your science background? If it isn't strong, I wouldn't take 3 pre-reqs at the same time.

I've always been pretty good in the sciences, although I haven't taken any in a few years. I've heard about the new CBT format for the MCAT. Sounds good. Do you or anyone else know how many times it will be offered?

 

[DrBowtie]

20 dates over 4 testing windows if I recall correctly. Check the MCAT website for more details.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I agree with not taking everything so quickly.science labs suck up so much time(in and out of class) it is hard to do more than 2 prereqs each semester.All of the prereqs should have 3-4 hours of lab so it is a big time drain and makes it difficult to schedule classes if you need to block off 3 different time slots at 3+ hours each.

I'd do 2 prereqs/semester and you can add a class in the summer to speed things up. You can try for 3 classes after 1-2 semesters of prereqs when you see how well you are doing also.

Also not sure how far along you are in school but if you have at least 3 or more years of school to fulfill your history major then there is definitely no rush. If you have 2 years or less then you have to cosider having a glide year.

 

[A1cfox21]

I agree with not taking everything so quickly.science labs suck up so much time(in and out of class) it is hard to do more than 2 prereqs each semester.All of the prereqs should have 3-4 hours of lab so it is a big time drain and makes it difficult to schedule classes if you need to block off 3 different time slots at 3+ hours each.

I'd do 2 prereqs/semester and you can add a class in the summer to speed things up. You can try for 3 classes after 1-2 semesters of prereqs when you see how well you are doing also.

Also not sure how far along you are in school but if you have at least 3 or more years of school to fulfill your history major then there is definitely no rush. If you have 2 years or less then you have to cosider having a glide year.

I should be able to finish in 2 yrs. I was hoping to apply to start school in 2008. But I looked up the app deadlines for DO and MD schools. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please!!! The DO deadlines were all from Dec-Mar or so. Are these supposed to be the months right before the fall you start or is it the previous year? The MD deadlines were Oct-Dec. Basically, which set of deadlines is earlier, MD or DO?

If I understand the AACOMAS site correctly, the deadlines are almost 1.5 yrs before you start. That sounds crazy. So, PLEASE, someone tell me which one is correct. Thanks.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Are these supposed to be the months right before the fall you start or is it the previous year? The MD deadlines were Oct-Dec. Basically, which set of deadlines is earlier, MD or DO?

If I understand the AACOMAS site correctly, the deadlines are almost 1.5 yrs before you start. That sounds crazy. So, PLEASE, someone tell me which one is correct. Thanks.

Deadlines are about 7-10 months before you start

MD deadlines(Oct 15- Dec 15) tend to be much earlier than DO(around Dec-March). They overlap.

The people who are interviewing now and have met or will meet deadlines are applying to matriculate Fall 2006. Some of the deadlines have past in the last month and some will come up in the next few months.

 

[A1cfox21]

Deadlines are about 7-10 months before you start

MD deadlines(Oct 15- Dec 15) tend to be much earlier than DO(around Dec-March). They overlap.

The people who are interviewing now and have met or will meet deadlines are applying to matriculate Fall 2006. Some of the deadlines have past in the last month and some will come up in the next few months.

Thanks for clarifying that for me. I was beginning to think I'd end up having to wait til 2009 to potentially start med school. What a relief. Thanks again!!

 

[HunterGatherer]

If you want to start med school in Fall 2008 then your application window is June 2007-Mar 2008(some schools are earlier or later). I think the MCAT will be offered more frequently that year but you definitely want to sit for the MCAT by mid-August 2007 or so.

I should be able to finish in 2 yrs. I was hoping to apply to start school in 2008. But I looked up the app deadlines for DO and MD schools. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please!!! The DO deadlines were all from Dec-Mar or so. Are these supposed to be the months right before the fall you start or is it the previous year? The MD deadlines were Oct-Dec. Basically, which set of deadlines is earlier, MD or DO?

If I understand the AACOMAS site correctly, the deadlines are almost 1.5 yrs before you start. That sounds crazy. So, PLEASE, someone tell me which one is correct. Thanks.